The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) is proud to announce the completion of the Swan-Canning Estuary Reef Restoration Project, marked by the unveiling of a sign featuring an artwork by emerging Aboriginal artist Lily Wilson, a Binjarrup Noongar woman with connections to Whadjuk country, yesterday.
Featured on the newly installed permanent sign at the Point Walter foreshore,The Wargul and the Swan River sits alongside information about the project, and the vital role of shellfish reefs in improving estuary health. At the heart of the piece is the Wargul – the rainbow serpent and protector of the river – surrounded by brightly coloured aquatic life.
Lily said that the piece celebrates the return of shellfish reefs to the Swan-Canning Estuary and with them, cleaner water and new habitat for many species.
"Even though the river can be murky now, I wanted to show how it can be healthy again. It felt really important to tell that story visually," Lily said.
In attendance at the unveiling with Lily Wilson, were Lisa O'Malley, MLA, Member for Bicton, Dr Kerry Trayler, Principal Scientist and Program Leader for Rivers and Estuaries Science at DBCA, Dr Michaela Dommisse, The Nature Conservancy Australia's Director of Oceans, Brett Dal Pozzo, TNC Marine Restoration Manager, alongside key supporters, partners and Traditional Owners.
The Swan Canning Reef Restoration Project area spans six hectares and includes 24 purpose-built reef units, hosting 160 tonnes of seeded mussel stock.
Brett Dal Pozzo, Restoration Manager at TNC, said the project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can help bring back the estuary's ecological function, despite decades of damage from dredging and pollution due to industrialisation.
"Rebuilding these important ecosystems restores their many benefits – improved water clarity and quality, and vital habitat for the hundreds of marine species found in the estuary," said Brett.
Lisa O'Malley MP said, "I know for many here in the electorate of Bicton, the Swan-Canning Estuary is a big part of our lives. That's why I am proud to have helped secure a $2 million commitment from the WA government to support the development of this incredible project.
More shellfish in the Estuary means improved water quality, enhanced fish stocks and other marine life for generations to come."
The reefs were built by TNC in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). TNC has undertaken monitoring of the restored reefs, tracking shellfish growth, water quality and marine biodiversity to inform outcomes to date. Their latest reef survey in 2025, showed significant natural shellfish recruitment. Fish abundance and overall species diversity on the restored reefs exceeded that of nearby barren seabeds.
Dr Kerry Trayler, Principal Scientist and Program Leader for Rivers and Estuaries Science at DBCA said, "This cutting-edge project took an ambitious approach to using shellfish reefs on an unprecedented scale to tackle water quality and biodiversity issues for the Swan Canning. It kept science at its core in planning, implementation, and review stages, to ensure that we could learn from the approach and potential for application elsewhere. The benefits are already being felt, not just for the waterway, but the application of learnings to other habitat enhancement projects.
"The project doesn't end here, DBCA continues to watch over the reefs to learn how they develop in a changing waterway. We will be undertaking monitoring in June to ascertain current shellfish densities and provide a baseline for future tracking of outcomes of this adaptive management project."
The Swan Canning reef was restored as part of TNC's Reef Builder program, and was also supported by contributions from Lotterywest, the Minderoo Foundation and several notable Western Australian philanthropists.
The Wargul and the Swan River is available to view near the Point Walter Dog Beach.
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